By Lookout Staff
April 17 – One month after publicly expressing interest in running for state attorney general in 2010, City Council member Bobby Shriver has withdrawn his name from a long list of potential candidates.
Shriver – who is a nephew of President Kennedy and son of Sargent Shriver, the 1972 Democratic candidate for vice president -- said he wanted to spend time with his infant daughter, Rosemary, and his elderly parents.
“I have a kid who’s three months old,” Shriver told The Lookout. “I’m attached. Life is long.
“I know having had parents away a lot as a kid,” Shriver said. “I waited a long time to be a father. I would have walked in, and the little girl is four. I don’t want to miss it.”
In a statement released Thursday Shriver said his parents are “facing health challenges. I want to spend as much time with them as I can.”
A member of America’s most prominent political clan and the brother-in-law of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Shriver had been courted to run for what is widely considered the most powerful state post after the governorship.
Shriver – who had been discussing a possible run for the seat with political consultant Harvey Englander since last fall – said he has had “numerous, exciting conversations about a campaign for California Attorney General” over the past several months.
“I have sought and studied creative ideas for using this important legal office to fight for justice,” Shriver said in Thursday’s statement.
A high-profile post, the state attorney general can prosecute criminals, have a say in wide-ranging issues and sue large corporations.
Shriver spent time discussing issues he might tackle as Attorney General, including “internet privacy protection, criminal law and procedure, consumer protection, water law and other environmental regulation and enforcement.”
“Friends have pledged their time, money and hearts to helping achieve these changes,” he said. “Many law enforcement organizations, fellow lawyers and Democratic party activists encouraged me. I cannot really describe my gratitude for their support and good will.”
The departure of Shriver, who never officially entered the race, leaves San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris, Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo and three Assembly Democrats – Ted Lieu, Alberto Torrico and Pedro Nava – running in the Democratic primary.
Republican Sen. Tom Harman is also exploring a run for the post currently held by Jerry Brown, who is widely expected to run for governor.
Shriver was elected in November to a second four-year term, having won the second-highest number of votes in Santa Monica council history.
